Man held by police after football fan's fire horror in sheep costume

TRAIN passengers watched in horror as a football fan with his sheep costume on fire ran screaming through the carriage.

TRAIN passengers watched in horror as a football fan with his sheep costume on fire ran screaming through the carriage.

One shocked witness said: "It was like something out of a horror movie."

The 24-year-old was rushed to hospital with serious burns to his legs and arms. A 23-year-old man will appear in court today over the incident.

The burned fan was one of dozens of Aberdeen supporters who wore Halloween sheep outfits to their team's game at Hibs on Saturday.

He was on his way home with his mates after the Dons' 2-0 defeat when his costume caught light.

One Aberdeen supporter wrote on a fans' internet forum: "We were in the same carriage as the boy dressed as a sheep.

"Next thing we know, he was running up and down the aisle on fire, screaming for help. Panic occurs, everyone starts running away etc.

"Some folk were throwing their beer on him to put the flames out. Then he got pushed to the floor, on the advice of a first-aider who was on the train. Skin was peeling from his arms and legs."

Police stopped the 6.08 Edinburgh to Aberdeen train at Kirkcaldy at about 7pm so paramedics could take the injured man to hospital. The passengers were delayed for more than two hours as police took statements, before another train arrived to pick them up.

A woman from Dundee who was on the train said: "It was frightening. Everybody was looking at the man - just absolutely stunned that he was on fire."

A third witness, from Markinch in Fife, said staff went through the train after the incident asking passengers if any of them knew first aid.

NHS Fife said the injured fan was being treated at Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy. Another man who tried to help put out the flames suffered minor burns and was able to continue his journey after medical attention.

Aberdeen FC security chief John Morgan has spoken to police about the incident. A club spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with the young fan and his family. He and his mates were down there to enjoy themselves.

"We are still trying to get to the bottom of exactly what happened. The only good thing is that his injuries are not life-threatening."

British Transport Police said one man had been arrested and was due to appear at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court today.

They added that a second man had been "assisting with inquiries".

A police spokesman said: "We are treating the incident very seriously. Investigations are ongoing."